Nehemiah 13:4

English Tyndale 1537

Nehemiah 13:4 — English Tyndale 1537

And before this had the Priest Eliasib delivered the chest of the house of our God unto his kinsman Tobiah:

What Does This Mean?

This verse tells us that Eliashib, who was in charge of the storeroom in God's house, had a close relationship with Tobiah. This relationship was a problem because Tobiah was not someone the Israelites should trust. The key message is about the danger of forming alliances with the wrong people.

Explained for Children

Imagine if the person in charge of the church snack closet became best friends with a kid who often teased others. It could cause problems, right? That's what happened here, and it's a reminder to be careful about who we become close friends with.

Historical Background

Nehemiah was written by Nehemiah, a Jewish leader and governor of Judah, around the 5th century BCE. The book details Nehemiah's return from Persia to Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls and the challenges he faced, including this alliance between Eliashib and Tobiah.

Living It Out Today

Consider a scenario where a church leader is closely involved with a non-Christian community leader who often promotes values contrary to the Bible. This can lead to confusion and compromise within the faith community. The verse reminds us to avoid such alliances.

Topics

• alliances
• trust
• leadership
• faithfulness
• integrity
• advice

Related Verses

• Numbers 25:1-3
• Psalms 101:3
• Proverbs 13:20
• Matthew 5:13
• 1 Corinthians 15:33

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Eliashib and why was his alliance with Tobiah a problem?

Eliashib was a priest in charge of the storeroom in the temple. His alliance with Tobiah, who was not an Israelite and had a history of opposing Nehemiah's efforts, posed a threat to the spiritual purity and integrity of the temple and its operations.

What can we learn from Eliashib's mistake?

We learn the importance of carefully choosing our alliances, especially for leaders, to ensure that these relationships do not compromise our values or the work we are doing for God.

How does this verse apply to church leadership today?

Church leaders today should be cautious about forming alliances with individuals or groups that do not share the same faith values, as it can lead to internal conflict and undermine the mission of the church.

What does this verse teach us about trust?

This verse teaches us that trust should be earned and that we should be discerning about who we trust, especially in positions of responsibility, to avoid compromising our faith or mission.